Noncirtus Fruit Output Slips

WASHINGTON - Jan 23/08 - SNS -- Noncitrus fruit production totalled 16.6 million short tons in 2007, down 1% from 2006 utilized production, according to the USDA;s preliminary report on last year's crops.

Utilized production decreased from 2006 for California prunes, prunes and plums (ID, MI, OR, and WA), loganberries, California all raspberries, California plums, Oregon black raspberries, California kiwifruit, cranberries, California dates, red raspberries, and apples.

The value of utilized production for noncitrus fruit crops totaled 11.0 billion dollars, up 5% from 2006. The value of utilized production for California olives increased 378%, apricots increased 45%, California dates are up 29%, red raspberries are up 29%, sweet cherries increased 25%, and tart cherries are up 24%.

However, the utilized value of production for Oregon black raspberries decreased 63%, California prunes are down 58%, prunes and plums (ID, MI, OR, and WA) decreased 43%, boysenberries decreased 35%, nectarines decreased 29%, and Oregon blackberries are down 21%.

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